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Bulletproofing y car windows alone would not cut it. Armored vehicles are a way to protect yourself. Every year, attacks occur on highly placed individuals or those who are in public view. Kidnapping or terrorist attacks often happen when the target is traveling on the road. A kidnap victim is saved by paying a ransom of about $500,000 to $3,000,000 USD in the US. In the case of a vehicle protected with bulletproof glasses and the likes, the chances of preventing or stopping an attack are high.

In Brazil too, the need for an armored vehicle is high. Crime rates there are five times higher than that in the US of A. From 1993, and afterwards several carmakers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Ford have fitted vehicles with defenses such as smokescreen and electric shocking, although the cars are modified post-production by companies such as International Armoring Corporation (IAC) of Ogden, Utah. The more the number of defenses the owner chooses to have, the higher the cost. Usually, it starts off from $50,000 and above. The objective is not to bounce off bullets but to actually absorb them.

HowIs It Done?

The car is taken apart, the seats, wiring, carpets, etc. and then the doors and all other cavities are cut open. Those voids are filled with various materials and welded into. For enhanced protection, the doors and pillars may be bolstered with steel plates, a combination of ballistic nylon and Kevlar or both.

With so much inside, the doors may get heavy in which case a third bolt is added.

Though the firewall and rear bulkhead are steel-plated, the floor and ceiling are usually lined with ballistic fabrics. One of the goals of armoring is also to keep the car looking same as before, inside and outside.

Suspension and Engine

All the armoring adds weight to the car making it necessary to modify the chassis and occasionally the drivetrain. The car cannot be made to run slower at the cost of being armored. Most modern engines in large sedans are powerful enough to handle the extra weight, so engine modifications aren’t regularly done unless specifically requested by the customer.

Besides the bullet proof glasses and layers of armor plates, one may ask for automatic fire extinguishers, run-flat tires and remote starting of the car, an explosion resistant fuel tank and siren or alarm an intercom inside and outside the car and a PA system so that the passenger can communicate with the bodyguards outside. As an extra benefit, the armored vehicle gives protection from intrusion during an accident.

The military too uses armored vehicles, but those are built with the armor plates outside. Usually, public servants are given the privilege to use armored vehicles while private vehicles may be armored by the concerned individuals.

These cars require slightly different handling, and their drivers undergo specialized training. The most heavily armored vehicle may require about $100,000 to make it so.

Vehicle window tint laws vary from one state to other states here in the USA. As a resident of Texas, when you are going to buy a new car or replacing the window of your current car, you must be acquainted with vehicle window tint laws in Texas USA. Depending on the type of vehicle you are using and position of the window-front, back or rear, you need apply the film following the darkness and reflective capacity rules in Texas.

Texas Window Tint Laws about Darkness

The percentage of VLT or Visible Light Transmission is the scale for measuring darkness of window tint. The percentage of VLT indicate the amount of visible light that can penetrate the tint and also the safety windshield. Let us go through the rules defined for sedans, SUVs and vans.

Tint Darkness Restrictions for SedansThe rules of vehicle window tint laws in Texas USA are especially applicable to the front side windows which means for the doors of the drivers and the front passengers. For these windows, more than 25% light must be allowed to come through. But for the back and rear side window there is no such restriction, so you can install any window tint to protect your privacy. The non-reflective tint strip on the windshield referred as ‘eyebrow strip’ is allowed as per the AS-1 line set by the vehicle manufacturer.

Tint Darkness Restrictions for SUVs and VansIn case of SUVs and vans the VLT percentage for front window remains the same as sedans, that is, it must be more than 25% of light. However, you can choose any darkness for the rear and back side window in order to maintain your privacy as well as stylist modification. For front windshield only, you are allowed to use only non-reflective tint maintaining the AS-1 line of the vehicle manufacturers. To explore the guideline for Texas AS-1, you need to go through Texas State law.

Texas Window Tint Laws about Reflection

Vehicle window tint laws in Texas USA have particular guideline about the certain amount of window reflection as the window tint reflects the incoming light and at the same time reduces the heat and glare. It is important to follow these rules for the safety of the motorists and for yourself.

Tint Reflection Restrictions for SedansAccording to the Vehicle window tint laws in Texas, your front and backside windows must not be reflective above 25%.

Tint Reflection Restrictions for SUVs and VansIn case of SUVs and vans, the limitation is same- that is within 25% of reflective.

Other Rules about Texas Window Tint

Please note that including the above-mentioned laws about window tint in Texas, there are other several rules and regulations for your vehicle you must follow. For instance- when you are choosing the tinted back window, you must have dual side mirrors for your car. You can apply a layer of un-tinted film on the front windshield as UV protector, but there are restrictions on certain colors like red, blue and amber as these can distract the motorists and impair the ability of the drivers to see the road’s condition.

There are certain laws on how dark will be the window of your vehicle and these laws vary from country to country and even one state to another state. The main reason for imposing certain laws on darkness of vehicle window is if the vehicle window will be tinted too dark, you will be unable to see the hazards outside clearly, even the criminals may take the advantage of obscurity since the police may face problem to identify persons inside a vehicle.

However, when you are in Oklahoma, you must be aware of the vehicle window tinting laws in Oklahoma which was enacted since 2005. All the vehicle owners must maintain the rules about how dark and reflective the tint should be so that Oklahoma government allows it. Let’s proceed in the article to know about various rules and regulations on vehicle window tinting laws in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Laws for Window Tint Darkness

At first, you need to know about the VLT (Visible Light Transmittance) which is actually the percent of visible light the window film allows to pass through. Vehicle window tinting laws in Oklahoma strictly maintain specific amount of VLT percentage and it has different percentage for sedan and SUV and vans.

Tint darkness for sedans

When you are going to install window tint for your sedan, must remember that more than 25% of light should be allowed to come through the front side windows and back side windows.

In case of rear windows, the percentage is same, that is, 25%. For windshield, you can only apply non-reflective tint maintaining the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.

Tint darkness for SUV and vans

In case of SUVs and vans, the vehicle window tinting laws in Oklahoma permits you to install any darkness for backside and rear window. But for front side windows you need to obey the restriction of more than 25% of light to pass in. You can only use non-reflective tint for the windshield of SUVs and vans above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line.

Oklahoma Laws about Window Tint Reflection

Another thing you must not ignore about vehicle window tinting laws in Oklahoma is its rules on the light reflection capacity. Window tints are capable to reflect incoming light, which helps to decrease heat and glare. It also varies based on different vehicles.

Tint reflection for sedans

You need to maintain the amount of tint reflection as it cannot be more than 25% reflective and this rule is applicable for both front and backside windows.

Tint reflection for SUV and vans

In case of SUVs and vans, you need to follow the same amount of tint reflection, that is, under 25% reflective.

Other rules and regulations about Oklahoma window tint

In additional to these above mentioned laws, Oklahoma has more important rules and regulations state wide e.g. Car window tinting Edmond OK.

When you have tinted back window, it is mandatory to install dual side mirrors.

The film that you are going to use on your vehicle window must be certified by the state government. In order to identify the tinting you don’t need to use any sticker. However, in case of medical exceptions, Oklahoma state laws may consider and revise the restrictions.

Once you follow these vehicle window-tinting laws in Oklahoma, you are all allowed to enjoy a happy and safe driving in any part of this state.